Photo – Seaspan
FortisBC and Seaspan Energy plan a $3B Tilbury Island expansion to grow LNG bunkering and turn Vancouver into a major marine fuel hub.
Vancouver Expands LNG Bunkering Ambitions
Vancouver’s push to become a leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering hub is gaining speed. Now, a massive $3-billion expansion at Tilbury Island could reshape marine fuelling on Canada’s West Coast.
FortisBC and Seaspan Energy are driving the project. Together, they aim to meet rising demand as more global shipping companies switch from heavy fuel oil to cleaner-burning LNG.
Moreover, industry leaders believe Vancouver is well positioned to become a key LNG refuelling stop for international vessels travelling along the Pacific coast.
LNG Demand Rises Across Global Shipping
The marine industry continues to search for cleaner fuel options. As a result, LNG has quickly become one of the top choices for ship operators working to cut emissions.
According to industry coalition SEA-LNG, nearly 79 per cent of new alternative-fuel ship orders in 2025 chose LNG. At the same time, classification society DNV reports that roughly 800 LNG-capable vessels now operate worldwide, while another 600 are on order.
Because of this shift, demand for LNG bunkering services keeps climbing.
Harly Penner, president of Seaspan Energy, said Vancouver already supplies LNG to cruise ships, tankers, container ships and vehicle carriers. He added that the market continues to grow steadily.
Tilbury Island Expansion Targets Marine Fuel Market
Unlike most LNG developments in British Columbia, the Tilbury Island project focuses mainly on marine transportation rather than exports.
Tilbury Island already houses FortisBC’s LNG facility. However, the company now plans a major expansion that includes:
- A new marine jetty
- Increased liquefaction capacity
- Expanded LNG storage infrastructure
Currently, LNG reaches Seaspan’s fuelling vessels through trucks and ISO containers. However, the planned marine jetty will allow direct loading onto bunkering ships. Consequently, the new system should improve efficiency and reduce extra handling steps.
The marine jetty received its environmental certificate last year. Construction is expected to begin next year, while operations could start by the end of 2029.
Production Capacity Set To Triple
The Tilbury expansion will happen in two stages.
First, annual LNG production will rise from 250,000 tonnes to 900,000 tonnes. Later, a second phase could lift total production capacity to 2.5 million tonnes per year.
In addition, the project includes a massive new storage tank capable of holding three billion cubic feet of LNG. That storage facility alone represents a $1-billion investment.
Right now, the expansion remains in the final stages of review under British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act.
Vancouver Pushes To Become LNG Fuel Hub
Seaspan Energy already operates three LNG bunkering vessels from Vancouver. Those ships serve ports as far south as Long Beach, California.
FortisBC’s Ian Finke said the market could reach 900,000 tonnes annually by 2030. Furthermore, he expects demand to continue growing well into 2035 and beyond.
As cleaner shipping fuels gain momentum worldwide, Vancouver’s LNG strategy could place the city at the centre of a rapidly expanding marine energy market.
